Flexible PVC Pipe

[samnaz]

Apparently this pipe can be glued right into any standard slip/socket PVC fittings. Has anyone used this type of flexible PVC pipe or something similar? thoughts?

Tektube Flexible PVC Pipe

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTUBE-Dia-25-Schedule-Flexible/dp/B071XQ2F2X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520917414&sr=8-1&keywords=1"+flex+pvc+black

 

[ZAB]

I have seen this used on hot tubs and plumbing on aquariums.use pvc cement to weld fittings together

 

[ca1ore]

Apparently this pipe can be glued right into any standard slip/socket PVC fittings. Has anyone used this type of flexible PVC pipe or something similar? thoughts?

Yes it can; I use it all the time; wouldn't go back to rigid or vinyl.

 

[samnaz]

Yes it can; I use it all the time; wouldn't go back to rigid or vinyl.

Where do you buy it from? I can't find small amounts of this stuff for a good price anywhere.

 

[Greybeard]

Also known as Spaflex. Used extensively in hot tubs. It has a tendency to retract when you're trying to glue it... make sure you hold it in place until the glue starts to set up.

My current system doesn't use it... but it's the first system I've built in a while that doesn't. I've seen it repeatedly in aquarium use. Lowes carries it, in my area, at least.

Using the term 'Flexible' might be a bit optimistic... it's not necessarily easy to bend especially as you get to larger sizes. If you need to soften a bit, hot water works pretty well.

 

[ca1ore]

I buy the 100 foot rolls from places like FlexPVC.com; always end up using it all eventually (though I have a complex system). I use the EZ flow/thin wall pipe. It's quite flexible and the working pressure is more than enough for an aquarium application.

 

[lion king]

I have it on 3 tanks, works well. One lfs sells it, outrageously priced. I found 25 foot rolls on Amazon.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Yeah, it's almost always cheaper to do hard pvc. The only other issue that I've heard of with flex is on ponds when it's buried in the ground; apparently some species of ants will eat it. :)

 

[ZAB]

You also use some Braided vinyl tubing...and some ratchet clamps for braided vinyl tubing..has worked very well for me in the past..home depot,lowes, sells it by the foot in the plumbing supply department..Can also find on line at bulk reef supply..

 

[Balz3352]

I personally use a hybrid method. Most of my plumbing is hard but there are a few spots that would have been a nightmare to plumb with hard so i used flex on those spots.

You can usually find it at a pool supply shop.

 

[ca1ore]

Pros and cons. Hard PVC is unquestionable the cheapest and most easily procured - $0.41/foot for 1" plus fittings. But it's tricky to run through floors and ceiling wells. Vinyl is the most expensive and barb fittings are notorious for flow-robbing back pressure. Flex PVC is in the middle for cost ($140 shipped for 100 foot roll of 1") and is easy to run and welds into standard fittings. For me it's the winner!

 

[Reefin Dude]

Spa Flex, the stuff you can find at HD and Lowe's is much stiffer than some of the other flexible PVC pipes. i have super flex on my build now. the super flex is significantly more flexible than the Spa Flex. much closer to vinyl tubing. i also do a mix between solid and flex PVC. both for cost and i find solid PVC better for long straight runs. won't sag when horizontal.

G~

 

[rfischer]

I used it on my tank with a special Gorilla Glue. No issues and going on two years.

 

[caver]

This is great to read I am changing up my plumbing going to try this out

 

[User1]

Agreed with a couple points made above.
1. Works great - reef safe
2. Not super flexible like a young sprout doing yoga - more like a 50 and above yoga person ;)
3. Can use a hair dryer to loosen it up for more flexibility
4. Can use Sun to loose it up for more flexibility
5. Not personally done but have read about people using hot water to make more flexible
6. Does mandate counting to 30 while holding in place after glue (also recommend turning 45 degrees to final resting position while holding firm)
7. Connects perfectly fine to PVC piping, unions, ball valves, etc

Um - I think that is about it. I use it on my 210 1" return lines and 1 1/2" overflows. No issues yet or salt creep.

 

[BlakeH]

If I’m seeing correctly, that pic is not of Spa flex. Spa flex can be difficult to work with if it’s not heated. That piping I’ve heard called Ultra-flex, and I’ve used on my past two builds. It’s as flexible, or maybe even more flexible than braided piping. As stated above, it does want to retract when you glue it so make sure you hold it place.

I’ve ran it through walls and tight bends with no crimping and no leaks, and plan to use on my new build to try and eliminate hard joints to limit head pressure.

 

[CPL376]

You might check out a water garden supply store. I used it for plumbing my koi pond works wonderfully

 

[Forsaken77]

Do NOT use the version that has the ridges in it. You need a smooth bore interior.

Also, the best flexible pvc is superflex pvc, like someone else stated. It's easier to work with because it's more flexible than Spaflex.

 

[Reefin Dude]

You might check out a water garden supply store. I used it for plumbing my koi pond works wonderfully

i heard using flexible PVC inground is not a good idea. termites can create holes and weaken the pipe. termites are not a problem with rigid PVC.

G~

 

[samnaz]

Does anyone know if you're supposed to chamfer/bevel the outside edges of flexible pvc to ensure a good fit inside the fittings?

I'm also having a very hard time getting the pipe to fit all the way into the fittings. I can't get it to go further than a few millimeters.